MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Still using the PRS-500

evdberg · 03-31-2014, 05:18 PM

Just wondering if I am the only one still using the 1st gen e-ink PRS-500. I can remember that when the 505 was released later in 2007, a lot of people upgraded to it.

Using the 500 nowadays is not really user friendly:
1) The battery has worn out, and can only handle page forwards without draining immediately. But hey, I usually read a book from begin to end, so that is not a major issue. And it almost last for 2 weeks if I stick to page forwards, isn't that amazing?
2) And since I do not live in the US, I do not have the last firmware, so I need to convert all books to the native LRF format. Luckily Calibre can handle this for me!
3) And none of the apps (Sony reader and Calibre, even not older versions that used to work) can access the internal memory anymore, so the books on it are stuck forever and I have to use a memory stick for new books. Always have to remember to plug power adapter in before inserting the memory stick, otherwise the 500 is immediate dead ...

Now this all sounds like I am complaining, and I guess that is true. I sometimes wonder why I just don't buy a new reader, they only cost a fraction of the 500 and have much better screen, more memory, and ... well, other stuff I do not need. And every time I use the 500 to read a book, I admire the built quality, and I have no desire to retire it ... at least not yet.

Are there more people still using their PRS-500?

03-31-2014, 05:18 PM	#1
evdberg Enthusiast Posts: 44 Karma: 37904 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Device: Sony PRS-500, Kindle Paperwhite 3	Still using the PRS-500 Just wondering if I am the only one still using the 1st gen e-ink PRS-500. I can remember that when the 505 was released later in 2007, a lot of people upgraded to it. Using the 500 nowadays is not really user friendly: 1) The battery has worn out, and can only handle page forwards without draining immediately. But hey, I usually read a book from begin to end, so that is not a major issue. And it almost last for 2 weeks if I stick to page forwards, isn't that amazing? 2) And since I do not live in the US, I do not have the last firmware, so I need to convert all books to the native LRF format. Luckily Calibre can handle this for me! 3) And none of the apps (Sony reader and Calibre, even not older versions that used to work) can access the internal memory anymore, so the books on it are stuck forever and I have to use a memory stick for new books. Always have to remember to plug power adapter in before inserting the memory stick, otherwise the 500 is immediate dead ... Now this all sounds like I am complaining, and I guess that is true. I sometimes wonder why I just don't buy a new reader, they only cost a fraction of the 500 and have much better screen, more memory, and ... well, other stuff I do not need. And every time I use the 500 to read a book, I admire the built quality, and I have no desire to retire it ... at least not yet. Are there more people still using their PRS-500?